But when the principal's chair opened at Newtown High earlier this year, Rodrigue knew she wanted the job.

"This was always my home," Rodrigue said. "I always had a strong, compelling feeling I would one day return. Everything I learned about great teaching and about being a great teacher, I learned here in Newtown.''

So she was elated when the Board of Education unanimously hired her to replace Charles "Chip" Dumais, who left Newtown High in February to become superintendent of the Amity Regional School District.

Rodrigue comes to the Newtown district at a time of transition. Over the last two years, the district has hired five new principals for its seven schools. This year, Rodrigue will join Hawley Elementary School Principal Chris Moretti as the newest additions.

Board of Education Chairman Keith Alexander sees the new hires as positive, particularly because they are part of a new administrative team headed by the district's new superintendent of schools, Joseph Erardi Jr.

"All of them are looking forward. How should we do this now? You push a lot of new ideas this way," Alexander said.

Rodrigue also has the benefit of knowing the Newtown community deeply.

"To be able to return to these roots, and the values I hold dear, is just something that doesn't always happen to somebody, but when it does you have to embrace it," said Rodrigue, who lives in Oxford with her husband, Michael.

The couple have four children -- her son, Nicholas Arsenian, 23, and her husband's three children, 19-year-old Tyler, 27-year-old Matthieu and 30-year-old Michelle.

"This is a special place, and to allow me to return to this place is so exciting to me as a leader," Rodrigue said.

Alexander said a particular appeal of Rodrigue's candidacy was her "heritage in Newtown" and a willingness to return and share the experience and knowledge she had gained from other districts.

"She's a very nice person, and the whole board was very happy with her," Alexander said.

Fellow board member John Vouros, a retired Newtown educator who was on the hiring committee, remembered Rodrigue from her earlier years.

He counts the district fortunate to have her at the helm of the high school.

"She was highly respected as an educator and children loved her," Vouros said. "I was one of those on the board that endorsed her highly."

Rodrigue is not one to shy away from new challenges. She believes Newtown has a strong foundation from which to build.

"We connect well with students and prepare students well academically for the world. And I want to be part of moving us forward," said Rodrigue, who earned a doctorate in educational leadership in January. "It's an exciting time in education right now, and I want to be here during this time."

Erardi said Rodrigue emerged from an impressive pool of candidates, and from what he has witnessed, she has a "real passion for students.''

Like Alexander, Erardi was also taken with Rodrigue's desire to return to Newtown.

"She is a true instructional leader," Erardi said. "I can share with great confidence that we have hired an exceptional high school principal. I'm excited for her, and I'm excited for us.

"Everything she's done this summer has solidified my thoughts on her. I believe she's a perfect fit. She's been well-received, and I'm very proud of her leadership."